A new report jointly released by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and the Engineering Academy of Japan (EAJ) outlines a detailed plan for how Japan and Australia can work together to develop a renewable hydrogen value chain that supports both economies.
The Australia-Japan renewable hydrogen value chain report, launched last week during World Expo 2025 in Osaka, lays out how green hydrogen could become a key component of industrial decarbonisation, energy trade, and chemical production in the APAC region. It identifies hydrogen’s potential use across a wide range of industries including construction, steelmaking, fertiliser production and chemical manufacturing.
One of the report’s main findings is that while both countries are well placed to benefit from hydrogen’s expansion, targeted investment will be required to scale up production and build the infrastructure for transport and storage. Closing workforce gaps is also essential.
ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said retraining workers from existing energy sectors would be an important part of this transition.
“Achieving this potential requires a sustained focus on skills, infrastructure and financing,” Walker said. “Japanese and Australian innovation, working together in partnership, are a force to be reckoned with.”
Australia’s low-cost renewable energy can support large-scale hydrogen production, while Japan brings advanced technology and industrial applications to the table. The report proposes closer joint development, shared R&D, and harmonised regulation to enable the cross-border flow of clean hydrogen and related products.
Yuko Harayama, Chair of International Affairs at the EAJ, said the countries’ strengths complement each other.
“Japan and Australia are perfect partners for exploring the complementarity and synergy in their expertise in renewable hydrogen,” she said. “The key would be to bring together stakeholders from industry and academia from both sides.”
The report also reflects broader policy developments. Japan’s Hydrogen Society Promotion Act, passed in 2024, and Australia’s revised National Hydrogen Strategy both set out plans to support hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.
Compiled by energy and industry experts from both academies, the report aims to provide practical guidance to governments, research institutions and companies. It also suggests that the Australia-Japan model could serve as a reference for similar partnerships in other regions.
By drawing on engineering expertise from both countries and promoting shared investment, the report sets out a step-by-step approach to creating a durable, low-emissions hydrogen supply chain across the Asia-Pacific.
